Elfin Lakes Shelter

This was our first time snow shoeing up to the Elfin Lakes' hut. The trail it self is well laid out. The trail is moderate in difficulty. You can snow shoe and or cross country ski up the trail. The Hut has multiple 2 person and 1 person bunk type sleeping quarters. The hut also comes equipped with two gas burning stoves and communal pots and pans to use. There is also a wood burning fire place that is regulated by a certain temperature (non-adjustable) it turns on and off on its own. I believe the hut sleeps 31 people. It's best to book ahead of time as the hut books up very fast! The views are amazing any direction you look at. Pictures do not do this place justice. A must do trail to add to your list!

Gorgeous place with shelter for indoor sleeping, limited bunks available, and a campground for outdoor sleeping. Two small lakes, one for swimming (COLD!) one for drinking water so keep that one clean.Snow on the trail is mostly melted by mid-to-late July but depends on the snowpack and spring weather. As a rough guide, check the snow on Brohm Ridge and if its still covered so is this trail. Typically 2.5 to 3.5 hours hike in for reasonably fit people. Shelter has gas stoves for cooking which is really handy but need to wait your turn with others in the shelter so be considerate.Like the rest of Sea to Sky Country, this is very popular so gets very busy, make sure you are prepared to sleep outside if the shelter is full.

There are several camping options around Elfin Lakes and in the Diamond Head area of Garibaldi Provincial Park. The Elfin Lakes campsite is located just beyond the lakes and has a total of 14 tent areas with an overflow area nearby. The campsite also has a pit toilet and a food cache where campers can place their food into so it is protected from bears.There is a shelter located at Elfin Lakes that has enough sleeping spaces for 33 people and facilities including picnic tables, propane stoves, a propane heater, and pit toilets. The propane is supplied by BC Parks. There is also a shelter located at Red Heather, however camping is not allowed at this shelter.

We went up in May and it was warm during the day around 13-15. Just about freezing at night. The shelter is amazing with 33 beds and big kitchen and gas stoves. The hike too is 4.5 hours including a lunch break the 5KM hut. This is both our first time backcountry snowshoeing, neither of us are big hikers or snowshoers, we found it challenging enough yet not impossible for inexperienced hikers. But I still recommend doing some lower body training a couple weeks beforehand. Some parts of the hike are steep. Some people went up without snowshoes, but I’d still recommend snowshoes because: 1. the snow gets slushy during the day, with regular shoes each step sinks 1-1.5 feet deep. 2. You then create these deep shoes wells that make your fellow hikers life really difficult (the snow starts to collapse and can twist ankles), and you return journey also tougher with those holes freezes overnight. The views are amazing once you pass 7KM mark, it’s wide open and just endless snowy mountain views. Words and pictures just don’t do it justice. Highly recommend! But be prepared, and have someone with experience if this is your first time.

Absolutely stunning setting and a wonderful 11km hike to get there from the parking lot. There is quite a bit of parking available, but it still fills up quickly at popular times. Maybe try and hit this hike during the week if you want to guarantee a spot in either the parking lot or one of the overnight options. The shelter itself is clean and welcoming. The beds are simple, but that should be expected. There are some nice cooking facilities including pots for boiling water. Water, by the way, must be gathered from the lake. There are no taps in the shelter. There's a decent toilet just across from the shelter and easy access to additional hiking routes. Highly recommended destination as either a day trip or overnight stay.

It was cool! But we didn't expect that the pads are under a meter of snow. Without google maps airplane view" we were not able to find the pads. Right now maybe 10 pads clean. The rest is still under the snow."

Propane stoves & heater, countertop space, sinks, electric lights, dining tables, and wooden bunks

If you’re a light sleeper like me, you’d be better off with the outdoor tents. Someone was snoring very loudly that most of us couldn’t fall asleep. The bottom bunks should be for two people. Some people occupy the bottom bunk all to themselves.Otherwise the shelter isn’t bad at all.

Even if you make a reservation, you can be left sleeping on the ground, which happened to some of my friends. However, I feel like it's as comfortable as these wooden bunk beds. But I think it's not comfort that people are coming there for. Nature is just breathtaking!